Recorder and reproducer



April 18, 1939. A. P. BLOXSOM RECORDER AND REPRODUCER Filed Jan '7, 1937 &

Patented Apr. 18, 1 939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

The invention relates to a sound recording and reproducing device and more particularly to a device for recording and repeating incoming messages during the absence of a telephone subscriber.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device that can be used in conjunction with a standard telephone set without modifying that set and without requiring any change in central office equipment.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a message recording and repeating system which will, through the normal use of central station equipment, transmit to any calling station the messages received during the absence of the subscriber.

A further object is to provide a message recording and repeating system to be used in conjunction with standard telephone equipment without the interposition of operative steps by a central station operator to effect the ultimate functioning of the system.

Other and further objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the single figure of drawings which illustrates, in a preferred embodiment, the component mechanisms and constructions, together with the electrical connections whereby the above recited functions and objects are achieved.

In this description the term station is used to refer to one of the various conventional forms of telephone equipment provided a subscriber at his residence or place of business. In the accompanying drawing the invention is shown as used in conjunction with the so-called French type of telephone set, which is characterized by the unitary mounting of the transmitter 5 and the receiver 6, the weight of which is used to disconnect the telephone set from the line leading thereto from the telephone exchange. .For convenience, the unitary transmitter and receiver will be herein referred to as a receiver except where the transmitter or receiver is specifically referred to as such.

The term incoming call includes the sequence of operations that includes ringing and the transmission and reception of an audible message. By record reference is made to any suitable instrumentality of recording the voice or other identifiable impulse such, for example, as engraving of phonic grooves in a disc or cylinder,

. production of a photographic track or the magnetic recording of sound impulses on a soft iron wire, such record bearing a message or messages adapted to be reproduced by the device of the invention.

The general embodiment of the invention comprises a station including a multiple line ringer I,

to which is selectively connected a telephone, generally designated as 8, as is well known in the art. As the wiring of this type of station is conventional and since the electrical connections thereof form no part of the present invention, the subscriber's set is shown in conventional form with the wiring thereof omitted in the drawing.

Cooperating with this station is a mechanism generally designated as 3 for lifting the receiver from the stand and a message recording and repeating means generally designated as 4.

Cylindrical records I and H may, as will be apparent, separate and distinct or a single record, and, in the preferred embodiment 9f the invention, comprises impressionable wax cylinders. These cylinders are positioned upon and revolved with a spindle 9 mounted upon a shaft l2 driven by motor l3. A drive pinion I4 is fixed to shaft I2.

A reproducer I5 is provided with a driving connection to a threaded shaft IE to which is fixed a drive gear I1. A tension spring I9 is attached to repmducer I5 to return the reproducer to starting poegfi when gear I! is out of engagement with drive pinxm I4.

A threaded extension 2| is attached to shaft l6 through a ratchet or over-running clutch 20' whereby the threaded extension is driven only when shaft I6 is rotated in such direction as will advance reproducer l5 along record III. A recorder 22 is connected to shaft extension 2| in a manner similar to the connection between shaft l6 and reproducer l5. It is apparent, however, that when shaft I6 is rotated by the retraction of the reproducer l5 under the influence of spring l9 shaft 2| will not rotate therewith because of connection 20 and hence recorder 22 remains at its advanced position and, as will be later explained, can be returned to its original position manually only.

A second threaded shaft 25 is positioned adjacent records ill and II mounted on shaft l2 and is provided with a drive gear 26 aflixed thereto. A reproducer 21 has a driving connection with shaft 25 and, similar to reproducer I5, is provided with a tension spring 28, which is adapted to return the reproducer to starting position when gear 28 is released from driving engagement with drive pinion M. It will be apparent from the drawing that reproducer 21 is adapted to contact the phonic grooves produced in cylinder I I by recorder 22.

A microphone 30 is mounted upon support member 29 adjacent the receiver 6 of telephone 8 and is attached through conductors 3| and 32 to recorder 22 whereby an incoming message through receiver 6 may be recorded upon cylinder II under proper circumstances, as hereafter described. In a similar manner a speaker 33 is mounted upon support 29 adjacent transmitter 5 of telephone 8 and is connected through conductors 34 and 35 to a switch which is designated as 36.

Switch 36 is in effect a double-pole, doublethrow switch adapted to connect speaker wires 34 and 35 to reproducer I5 when the armature thereof is retained in normal position by spring 36', as shown in the drawing. When, however, the switch is closed in the opposite direction by energization of solenoid H5 or solenoid I 2|, the speaker 33 is connected through wires 39 and 40 to reproducer 2'|.- It is thus apparent that switch 36 may be instrumental in selectively transmitting to speaker 33 the message that is recorded on either of cylinders I and II.

Support 29 is attached to the upper end of a rod 49 and this assembly is moved in a vertical direction by means of a motor 4| which drives a pinion 42 engaging rack teeth 43 on rod 49 tolift the microphone 30 and speaker 33 upwardly against the receiver 6 and transmitter of telephone 8, thus lifting the receiver from the telephone stand 'I and answering a call. Rod 46 carries arms 44 and 45 which open and close switches 47 and 46, respectively, when the rod is elevated to raise the receiver from the stand. Attention is directed to the fact that switch 46 is normally held in closed position by a spring 48 while switch 47 is normally held open by spring 49.

A detent 5| is positioned adjacent rod 40 and is constantly urged by spring 52 to engaging relation with a projection 50 on rod 49. The engagement of this detent with the lower face of projection 50 will take place when rod 49 is lifted a sufficient distance by motor 4| and rod 49 will in this manner be retained in its elevated position until detent 5| is retracted by the energization of solenoid I09.

Energy for the operation of the device of the invention is conducted thereto through terminals 60 and BI which are indicated as positive and negative, respectively. This indication is used conventionally and hence it is understood that the device may be constructed for the use of either alternating current or direct current. It is also immaterial as to the source of this energy. The source may comprise the electrical circuits supplying energy to the residence or place of business of the subscriber; it may be a local source such as any battery or generator, or the device may be operated from central station batteries by supplying the energy to the device through telephone circuits.

Further description and the operation of the device is as follows:

In the two circuit telephone, as shown in the drawing, it is assumed that an answering record I0 and a recording cylinder II are in position to be driven by motor I3 and that a call is initiated to ringer 69 to cause clapper to vibrate. A switch closing arm II is so located relative to clapper ID as to be moved thereby to close the contacts of switch I2 which is ordinarily held open by a spring I3 when no current is flowing through the circuit. Upon the closure of switch I2 current flows through solenoid I9 to retain this switch in closed position. The circuit from 7 it is apparent that it is impossible for a second call to be initiated through the line to ringer 68 to defect the connection previously initiated through ringer 69. In using the invention it is obvious that arrangements may J oe made whereby a busysignal would be returned on the calling line when switch I5 is open The closure of the circuit just described by the actuation of the ringer 69 causes motor 4| to be energized and elevate rod 40 sufficiently to effect close engagement of the microphone 30 and the speaker 33 with the receiver 6 and transmitter 5 of telephone 8 and to lift the instrument from stand I. Detent 5| moves under the lower face of projection 50 as switch 41 is closedand switch 48 is opened by arms 44 and 45. The initial circuit through motor 4| is thus broken and rod 40 tends to fall under gravity but is retained in its elevated position by the engagement of detent 5| with projection 55. The downward movement of rod 40 after switch 46 is opened is insufl'lcient to permit opening of switch 41. For this reason a circuit is completed from negative terminal 6| through wire 90, switch 41 and wire 9| to motor i3, thence through contacts 93 and 94 of switch 95, which contacts are normally held in closed position by spring 96, to solenoid 91 and returning by way of conductor IIB to positive terminal 60. Energization of solenoid 91 causes shaft I6 to move inwardly and effect engagement of gear III with pinion I4 and at the same time to cause reproducer I5 and recorder 22 to contact cylinders III and II, respectively. As cylinders I0 and II are driven by motor I3, which is energized by the current flowing through the circuit just described,-reproducer I5 transmits to speaker 33 the message which was previously recorded thereon. In this manner the previously recorded message is transmitted through speaker 33 and over the telephone line to the calling station.

An example of a message that could appropriately be recorded upon cylinder II is: This is L-6161 (owner's telephone number) The doctor is at present making a call. If you will please leave your name and number he will get in touch with you. The reproducer I5 would then travel along shaft I6 for a sufiicient length of time for the caller to leave a reasonable message and would then repeat a recorded sign-off message such as, Thank you, the doctor will call shortly". Just before closure of switch I09 by contact of projection IIlI with armature I92 to overcome the tension of spring I03, which normally maintains switch I00 open. Closure of switch I00 energizes solenoid I 09. the complete circuit being from negative terminal 6| through wires 90, I05 and I96, switch I III] and wire III! to the positive terminal 60. Current flowing through this circuit causes withdrawal of detent 5| and allows rod 40 to drop, replacing receiver 2 upon stand I and opening the circuit through switch 41, which stops motor I3 and allows the reproducer on shaft It to return to its original position.

While the reproducer I5 has traveled along cylinder III as above described, the recorder 22 has traveled along cylinder II to record any message that is picked up by microphone 30. As previously explained, when the incoming message is completed and the described circuits are de-energized the reproducer I5 is returned to its initial position under the influence of spring I9 but recorder 22 is permitted to remain in the position reached during the recording of the incoming message. Hence, if a succeeding incoming call were initiated through the line to ringer 69 the above described operations would be repeated and the succeeding message would be recorded on'cylinder II in sequence after the preceding message or messages.

The owner of thedevice of the invention desiring to receive the calls taken during his absence calls in on the circuit to ringer 68 whereupon switch I I is closed in a manner similar to 'the closure of the switch I2 just above described. In this manner switch H0 is closed and solenoid III is energized to keep switch I I0 close-d against the tension of spring H2 which normally retains the switch in open position. Closure of switch I I0 completes a circuit from negative terminal 6| through wire 62, switch H0, the contacts of switch I to solenoid H3 to open the contacts of switch I8, thereby preventing interference from an incoming call through ringer 69. From solenoid H3 current is carried through conductor ill to solenoid N5 of switch 36, thence through solenoid H6 of switch 95 and wire III to switch 46 and motor 4| to positive terminal 60. Again motor 4| is energized to elevate rod 40 and lift the receiver 2 of telephone 8 from its stand, to open switch 46 and to close switch 41. When the circuit of motor 4| is opened solenoid H5 is deenergized and switch 36 will return to its original position were it not for a second solenoid I2I which is energized through a circuit as follows:

From negative terminal GI current flows, as above explained, to motor I3, thence through switch contacts 94 and 9B of switch 95, to solenoid I2I and returning to the negative terminal 80 through solenoids I20 and H9 and wire H8. It is thus apparent that switch 36 will be retained in the upper contacting position while the armature of switch 95 will be held downwardly by solenoid I20. Solenoid H9 being energized by the same current, will draw shaft 25 inwardly to enmesh gear 26 and pinion I4 and to bring reproducer 21 into engagement with the phonic grooves previously engraved in cylinder H. The message on cylinder H is repeated through speaker 33 to the calling party. When, however, this recorded. message is completed spring contact I30 is forced into engagement with a fixed contact I3I on arm I32 fixed to recorder 22. Closure of contacts I30 and I3I close a circuit through solenoid I09 from negative terminal 6i through wire 90, switch 41, conductor I05, switch contacts I30 and I3I, and wire I01 to the positive terminal 60. This releases rod 40, which drops under gravity, and the circuit is returned to position for receiving other incoming calls or repeating recorded messages. It is to be noted that recorder 22 remains in its last recording position until personal attention is given the instrument. Until such attention is accorded the device, it is obvious that other messages may be impressed upon cylinder II until the surface thereof is completely covered with recorded messages. At the same time it is apparent that the subscriber may call through the line to ringer 08 as often as desired and the device will in each ifistance repeat all recorded messages on cylinder When it is desired to discontinue use of the device in connection with telephone 8 it is necessary only to disconnect the source of energy from terminals 60, BI.

It is obvious that a plurality of ringers may be provided with a plurality of switches 12 in parallel and that each of these ringers may be arranged to send a busy signal when the device of the invention is sending or receiving messages.

It is believed that further description and operation of the device of the invention is unnecessary.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for automatically responding to and repeating incoming telephone calls, a spindle, a motor adapted to drive said spindle, an impressionable wax record on said spindle, said record having an informing message portion and a portion adapted to receive an incoming message thereon, a reproducer to repeat the informing message, a recorder to be brought into recording relation with the receiving message portion of said record, a telephone, means actuated by an incoming call for lifting the receiver from its hook and for energizing said driving motor, means for transmitting the informing message to the transmitter of said telephone, means for transmitting the incoming message to said recorder, means for repeating the recorded message in answer to a subsequent incoming call, and means for deenergizing the device when the recorded message has been repeated.

2. In a device for automatically responding to and repeating incoming telephone calls, a spindle, a motor adapted to drive said spindle, an impressionable wax record on said spindle, said record having an informing message portion and a portion adapted to receive an incoming message thereon, a reproducer to repeat the informing message, a recorder to be brought into recording relation with the receiving message portion of said record, a telephone, means actuated by an incoming call for lifting the receiver from its hook and for energizing said driving motor, means for transmitting the informing message to the transmitter of said telephone, means for transmitting the incoming message to said recorder, and means operable by a subsequent incoming call for repeating the recorded message to the calling station.

3. In a device for automatically responding to and repeating incoming telephone calls, a spindle, a motor adapted to drive said spindle, an impressionable wax record on said spindle, said record having an informing message portion and a portion adapted to receive an incoming message thereon, a reproducer to repeat the informing message, a recorder to be brought into recording relation with the receiving message portion of said record, a telephone, means actuated by an incoming call for lifting the receiver from its hook and for energizing said driving motor, means for transmitting the informing message to the transmitter of said telephone, means for transmitting the incoming message to said recorder, and means operable by a subsequent in coming call over a different incoming line for repeating the recorded message to the calling station.

4. In a device for automatically responding to and recording incoming telephone calls, comprising a motor, a sound record to be driven thereby,

a recorder adapted to be brought into recording relation with said record, a telephone, means actuated by an incoming call for lifting the receiver from its hook and for energizing said driving motor, means for transmitting the incomingmessage to said recorder whereby said message is recorded upon said record, and means for transmitting the recorded message in response to an incoming call.-

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a rotating spindle, an impressionable wax record thereon, means for driving said spindle, a drive pinion adapted to rotate with said spindle, a composite shaft adjacent said spindle and having an over-running clutch to connect the parts thereof, a drive gear on said shaft, a reproducer and recorder on the respective parts of said shaft,

and means for bringing said gear and pinion into driving engagement and for bringing said reproducer and recorder in contact with said record.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising a rotating spindle, an impressionable wax record thereon, means for driving said spindle, a drive pinion adapted to rotate with said spindle, a composite shaft adjacent said spindle and having an over-running clutch to connect the parts thereof, a drive gear on said shaft, a reproducer and recorder on the respective parts of said shaft, means for bringing said gear and pinion into driving engagement and for bringing said reproducer and recorder .in contact with said record, and means for de-energizing said driving means and for releasing said gear and pinion from "driving engagement.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a rotating spindle, an impressionable wax record thereon, means for driving said spindle, a drive pinion adapted to rotate with said spindle, a composite shaft adjacent said spindle and having an over-running clutch to connect the parts thereof, a drive gear on said shaft, a reproducer and recorder on the respective parts of said shaft, means for bringing said gear and pinion into driving engagement and for bringing said reproducer and recorder in contact with said record, means for de-energizing said driving means and for releasing said gear and pinion from driving engagement, and means for returning said reproducer to initial position.

means responsive to ringing impulses to another of said ringers for repeating the recorded message over the calling line to said last mentioned ringer.

9. In a device of the class described for automatically receiving, recording and repeating incoming telephone calls, the combination of means for receiving and recording a telephone message over an incoming line, and means operable by a call over a diiferent incoming line for transmitting the recorded message to the calling station.

10. In a device of the class described for automatically receiving and repeating incoming telephone calls, the combination of means for transmitting a recorded answering message, means for receiving and recording an incoming message, means operable by a call over a different incoming line for transmitting the recorded message to the calling station, said answering and recording means being so constructed and arranged that a plurality of incoming calls may be sequentially answered and recorded.

11. In a sound reproducing and recording device a telephone, means responsive to all incoming calls for connecting the telephone to calling circuits, means responsive to certain predete'r mined incoming calls for transmitting a recorded answering message and for recording any incoming messages in sequence from the calling station, and means actuated by other predetermined incoming calls for transmitting all previous incoming messages to the calling station.

12. In' a sound reproducing and recording device the combination of a telephone station, means responsive to an incoming call for transmitting an answering message and for recording incoming messages to the telephone station, and means operable by another call to the telephone station for transmitting in response to the last mentioned call, the previously recorded incoming messages.

ALLAN P. BLOXSOM. 

